Pregnancy Pick-Me-Ups

While pregnancy is a joyful time to be celebrated, let's admit it: Having an expanding belly (and all that goes with it!) can sometimes bring on the blahs or the blues. Here's how some real moms picked up their moods.

"When I was pregnant, I planted about 20 sunflowers in front of my apartment. Every day they got taller and taller, and I hoped they'd be in full bloom by the time my baby finally arrived. As my due date drew close, the sunflowers were very tall, but there were no blooms to be seen. When I arrived home from the hospital with my sweet baby boy, one sunflower had burst open. It was very special."
-- Melissa Najd, Marina, California, mother of Woodland, 8 months

"I'm a farmer by trade. When I found out I was pregnant, I ordered a batch of chicks so I could watch them grow as my belly did. It really put a smile on my face through the winter to watch them peck around the yard."
-- Kassandra Burnham, Stanwood, Washington, mother of Mackenzie, 2

"One day I was feeling particularly blue, so my husband and I bought a young tree for our treeless backyard. We planted the tree and pledged to take a picture in front of it every year with our son once he was born. A representation of the life to come that would grow with that tree year after year...it really brightened my spirits that day."
-- Stephanie Ramirez, Knoxville, Tennessee, mother of Sagen, 13 months